Mastodon Peak and Nature Loop Trail

Joshua Tree National Park

At 3,440', Mastodon Peak towers over the Cottonwood Spring area and portions of the Lost Palms Oasis Trail. The peak a monzogranite rock formation - was named by early miners for its supposed resemblance to a mastodon's head. This relatively short loop hike treats visitors to fantastic views and an educational window into the area's unique transitional ecology. Remnants of human activity spanning a millennium are also detailed throughout.